Interactive Infographic: Evolution of the Apple Computer Chris Glosecki

Case Study: Background:In a world that is seeing a shift from the written word to visual communication, the applica-tion for infographics is becoming more and more common. My infographic shows a simplified visual representation of the evolution of the Apple computer. From the first Apple I introduced in 1978 to today’s iPad 3, we see how the traditional push button keyboard has morphed into a visual touch screen with endless interactive graphics and images. Upon further development, I would like to submit this infographic to a digital news source called Digitaltrends.com. The site has a lot of comprehensive infographics that clearly convey a message. I was inspired by their work and I would like to add to their database of infographics.

Target Audience:The target audience for my visual display of the evolution of Apple would be anyone interested in staying updated on digital news, information technology, and mobile devices and gadgets. The age range would generally span from young children, college students, young industry pro-fessionals, and senior professionals; anyone who would like a visual reference on how Apple has evolved over time.

Objectives:After learning from my Apple infographic, the audience should gain a thorough understand-ing of how an electronic changes over time. We will be able to see how the price of a personal computer has fluctuated from when it was first conceived. From reviewing the data represented in the graphic, the viewers should see that with the initial price of an Apple I being $670.00 in 1978, and the price of an iPad3 being a similar price of $699.00, one main objective surfaces: we used to pay much more for less technical capability and now pay much less for more technical capability.

Obstacles:The subject matter in this infographic is a very hot topic that many technologcal-minded people are interested in. Thus, many people may want to see more information or different specs on a certain series or model of Apple computers. There is a lot of room to expand this project but it is likely that a certain technical spec or perspective will be left out.

Key Benefit:After inferring the “pay more for less and pay less for more” concept from my infographic, the audience should have a visual and verbal grasp on how quickly technological innovations be-come outdated and how profitable of an industry it is. Technology in the form of computers, gadgets and mobile devices is a blossoming industry with many avenues of opportunity and growth.

Supporting Statement: With a topic that focuses on technological advances on a product, there will always be additional perspective that can be applied. With my infographic I have made a couple clear objectives: we used to pay much more for less product and now pay much less for more product, and the evo-lution of technology is changing our means of communication by using less words and more images. Ultimately, this infographic can be made interactive and allow the audience to add from their own knowledge base, a la Wikipedia.

Tone:The tone of this project is very clear, informative and straightforward, hence the simple graphics with corresponding info bubbles and a white background. The message does not get lost in the images.

Media:This infographic has been developed for web-based platforms or for print media as well. It would be relevant for any media source that informs the public on technological updates.

Creative Considerations:Since Apple computers have an international customer base, the data on this infographic should be displayed in as many different languages as possible.

Thumbnail Sketches:

Digital Process:

1976

1989

1999

2012

1976

1989

1999

2012

-$670.00-8 KB of RAM-200 units sold

Apple I

-$7,300.00-1 MB of RAM-under 100,000 sold

Macintosh Portable

-$1,599.00-64 MB of RAM-over 1 million sold

iBook

iPad 3-$699.00-64 GB of RAM-65 million expected to sell

1976

1989

1999

2012

Resource Images:

Works Cited:

Weyhrich, S.. “2-The Apple-1.” Apple history. http://apple2history.org, 2011. Web. 20 May 2012. <http://apple-2history.org/history/ah02/>.

“Apple Macintosh Portable.” Obsolete technology. Sysop, 2011. Web. 20 May 2012. <http://oldcomputers.net/>.

Printer, The. “Hello iBook.” Letterpress Stationary by Tin Can Valley Printing. Letterpress Stationary, 2008. Web. 20 May 2012. <http://tincanvalley.com/2008/03/11/hello-

Apple, . “Apple Store.” Apple. Apple Inc, 2012. Web. 22 May 2012. <http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_ipad/family/ipad>.